Benicio Del Toro Takes Lead & 'Doctor Who' Star Karen Gillan Is The Villain In 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'

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The Playlist Staff
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The PlaylistJune 3, 2013 at 1:31PM

While the DC comic book universes have remained largely standalone thus far, and only the most tentative of hints dropped during the recent “Man of Steel” junket, Marvel has clicked into overdrive with the notion, tapping franchise upon franchise to have their turn. But naturally, more characters means more actors, and now two of the upcoming Phase 2 films have found a few new additions.

While the DC comic book universes have remained largely standalone thus far, and only the most tentative of hints dropped during the recent “Man of Steel” junket, Marvel has clicked into overdrive with the notion, tapping franchise upon franchise to have their turn. But naturally, more characters means more actors, and now two of the upcoming Phase 2 films have found a few new additions.

Benicio Del Toro is the latest surprising addition to "Guardians Of The Galaxy," Deadline reports, with the actor taking an unspecified lead role. But just how crucial is his part? Well, he's signed a deal for multiple movies and is expected to feature in more Marvel-verse flicks down the line, so let the speculation begin! Meanwhile, actress Karen Gillan may have just wrapped up her sci-fi tenure on the BBC's “Doctor Who” opposite the departing Matt Smith, but it seems she'll transition swiftly into another corner of space as she also comes aboard 'Galaxy.' Gillan has been cast (via THR) as an unknown villain in the James Gunn-directed film, which also stars Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Glenn Close and John C. Reilly, with her likely baddie cohorts played by Lee Pace and Michael Rooker.

Although the 'Guardians' role will be an interesting about-face for Gillan, the film hitting theaters August 1st, 2014, another Marvel entry, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” also features an actor venturing into new territory and eclipses Gillan's villainous turn (outside of the 'Who'-verse, that is). Robert Redford was recently announced to be playing S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Alexander Pierce, and on top of that exciting news, he's found a team to stand beside him: Chin Han (“The Dark Knight”), Jenny Agutter (“The Avengers”), Alan Dale and Bernard White (“Castle”).